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Erno Bauer ע"ה, and his wife Grete הי"ד Ma's sister
their daughter Matika הי"ד
July 1939 |
Those of us that are old enough will never forget the beautiful relationship between Ma and her sister Ditha-Aunti Bauer. The two sisters were constantly together, caught up in tzedakah projects, doing all sorts of chesed etc.
There was another sister.
Greta חנה בת אליעזר הי"ד - Ma's sister, the aunt we did not know. She had two daughters, Marta and Eva. Cousins we never got to know.
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Grete Bauer nee Kaufmann הי"ד
with her daughter Matika הי"ד
June 1940 |
Greta married (1935) Erno Bauer, a cousin of Aunti's husband Siegfried (Fritz) Bauer. They lived in Szombathely, Hungary. They had two daughters, Marta, who Ma would always refer to as "My Matika". Marta was born towards the end of 1936. Ma obviously remembered her well. The second daughter Eva - Edith יענטא טשארנא, was born after 1941 (after the following letter was written). Ma only knew her from pictures. Greta and her two daughters were killed על קידוש השם.
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"Hitler Victim"
Ma's notation on the reverse of a picture of Matika הי"ד |
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From all the horrors of World War 2 the story of Ma's sister Greta seemed to pain her the most. Greta with her two young children had the ability to escape. She chose to remain with her elderly mother in law instead. Her husband Erna Bauer survived the war.
From the recollection of Yocheved Greenfeld, Ma's upstairs neighbor.
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Matika and Eva Bauer הי"ד
c. 1942 |
The following moving letter written by Greta gives us a glimpse into her personality. The constant refrain, "Dank G-tt, Lieber G-tt, Der In Himmel", reveal a deep faith in Hashem. Her concern for others, כיבוד אב ואם and her exceptional character are evident in every line.
The letter is written on the reverse of her husband Erno Bauer's letter. It is addressed to her dear parents Opi and Omi Kaufman and their children Edwin and Ma, Fritz Bauer and Ditha who had already arrived to safety in the USA.
The letter was written on Erev שבת תשובה תש"ב, shortly after Greta returned home from a visit to her grandfather, Yitzchok Nachman Kaufman and his second wife who Greta refers to as "Aunti" in Slotfina (today Solotvyno, Ukraine). She had returned to Szombathely a few days before Rosh Hashana. On her return trip she visited some relatives in Budapest.
Reference is also made in the letter to Dali's parents, who as Viennese refusgees were in hiding by their Breuer relatives illegaly in Hungary. (see previous post)
The circumstance, mentioned in the letter, surrounding the tragedy of Yosef and his wife Fulchi, who apparently lost a child לא עלינו is unknown to us. We don't even know who they are and what connections they have to our family.
May we all by zoche to be united with all our dear departed relatives בביאת משיח צדקינו.
Teuerste Beste Eltern, Leibste Kinder! עמ"ש
Erno, also forgot to acknowledge the last detailed letter we received from Ditha [Bauer]. We were very happy to hear that everything is well with our dear Ditha and Dank G-tt everything is well with our baby [Eva Bauer-Stief]. Also liebe mother, thanks for your detailed letter. Liebe Cilla, we immediately forwarded your letter to the Breuers.
Liebe parents, I beg you, do not worry about us. Until we can travel we are waiting. With G-tt’s help we will receive our affidavits.
The tragedy of poor Yosef is unfortunately much much worse. Der in Himmel can still save us, but the poor Hansi can’t be helped. I am hurting for Fultschi and Yosef, and I can’t stop thinking about it. May Der Leibe G-tt protect every Jewish mother; it is horrible.
I returned home from Szlatine on Monday the 16th of September. The traveling with Matika was extremely difficult. I am fortunate that I had the Seichel to visit our liebe Grandfather, and was able to provide him with a few pleasant days. May Der in Himmel help us to always do what’s right.
Liebe Grandfather hasn’t really changed much. Dear Aunty has aged but she is still very jolly, and does everything herself. She cares for Hersh [Yitzchok Nachman's deaf-mute son] besser wie eine eigene mutter; she says the Lieber G-tt gave it to her as a challenge.
Dearest Edwin, I beg you please, do not be distressed about your parents. Things are well with them dank G-tt. They are now in Plattensee, I don’t know their exact address. The Breuer family is so exceptional. What will worrying accomplish, we can’t help anyway.
Matika is so unberufen lovely she sends many kisses to all especially to the baby [Eva Bauer-Stief]. Did you receive my letter from Szlatina? Shortly you will receive a picture.
On the way [from Szlatina] I stopped in Buda Pest? by Silberman and Pollack. I beg you dear Momma please request that leibe Lina Doviduvitsch send something for her cousin Rifke in Szlatina.
I am in a rush, it is Friday, and Erno wants to mail the letter, that’s why my handwriting is sloppy.
We are dank G-tt well. How is it by you dear parents? You should all be Gezund Und Stark that is the most important thing. I would also much rather be with you my dear, but Der mensch denkt und G-tt lenkt [a person plans and G-d guides].
We received a post card from Uncle Rudy [Kohn הי"ד, who was still in Vienna] things are well with him.
I am begging you again do not worry about us; everything will definitely turn out fine. Please send cards often it takes very long for the cards to arrive.
Saturday we received a card from Dear Papa which was mailed six weeks ago.
I am kissing each and every one of you,
Yours Grete and Marta
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Before the war
The three sisters enjoying an outing in Baden
l. to r. Ma, Ditha and Grete
Househerr and Housefrau behind them |
